A Comparison of British and German Volumetric Glassware

Abstract

THE manufacture of volumetric glassware was practically non-existent in this country prior to the war. During and since the war it has been developed on an extensive scale. Unfortunately, many users of volumetric apparatus believe that the accuracy of British apparatus is inferior to that of German origin. From our experience at the National Physical Laboratory we are in a position to know that apparatus of British manufacture which has passed our tests is at least as good as any similar standard apparatus of German origin. It appeared to be a matter of some interest, however, to ascertain the degree of accuracy of ordinary grade volumetric apparatus. Consequently in November last samples of glassware were obtained from seven different London firms. Ordinary commercial-grade apparatus was asked for and the purchases were made by a third party, the firms being quite unaware that the apparatus was ultimately destined to be tested at the National Physical Laboratory. The results obtained in the tests on this apparatus are given below. The results marked ^* relate to apparatus bearing the trade-mark of one or other of the British manufacturers who regularly submit apparatus to the National Physical Laboratory for test. The results marked † refer to two flasks which also bore the trade-mark of a British firm. The remaining results for the November purchase relate to apparatus which had no trade-mark. This was probably mainly British, but some of it possibly of German origin.